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Friday, August 1, 2014

New Bates Family Pictures

While driving through the hills of eastern Tennessee yesterday, we
dropped by the Bates' house for lunch and fellowship.

Until five years ago, Gil and Kelly Bates and their growing family lived
in a 1,700 square-foot house. Now, the Bates clan enjoys 4,600 square
feet of living space, which includes a 2,900 square-foot addition built
by the Duggars in 2009 as a Mother's Day present for Kelly.

The Bates family home

Kelly Bates is able to carry on a conversation
while keeping an eye on her many little ones and reprimanding as
necessary.

Kelly Bates with Addallee, Jeb, and Ellie Bates

Kelly almost always has a child on her lab and at least one by her side, as the younger ones enjoy cuddling with Mommy.

Kelly Bates with Callie and Ellie Bates

While we chatted, the kids played in the living room, and although they
were full of energy, they instantly obeyed Kelly and the older kids when
told to calm down.

Addallee, Warden, and Jeb Bates

Two-year-old Jeb is the youngest of Gil and Kelly Bates' 19 children.
This is the first time since the couple started having kids 25 years ago
that they have had a two-year-old and no infant. Everyone is excited to
welcome Zach and Whitney Bates' son, Bradley, into the family in
October.

Kelly Bates and Ellie

According to the older kids, Jeb is the spittin' image of Judson, who is one year older.

Judson and Jeb Bates

We accidentally deleted the photo of Judson with the cone on his head, but this one is almost as cute.

Judson Bates

Things are changing for the Bates, who have watched three of their
children tie the knot over the past nine months.The kids say the house
seems incredibly quiet with only 16 children living at home.

Kelly Bates with Josie, Jeb, Trace, and Judson Bates

Zach and Erin and their spouses live nearby, but Alyssa moved all the
way to Orlando, Florida, with her husband. Fourteen-year-old Josie, who
was Alyssa's roommate and best friend, is looking forward to visiting
her sister for two weeks in August.

Josie Bates and Ellie

Tori Bates, 18, is taking college classes while helping her mom homeschool the younger kids.

Tori Bates and Ellie

Four-year-old Callie-Anna is as cute as a button with her "elephant ears," as she calls them.

Callie Bates

After we left, the kids grabbed their bins filled with school supplies
and returned to their studies. Some of the children use A Beka DVDs, and
others use traditional workbooks.

Tori Bates instructs Jackson, Ellie, Addallee, and Callie Bates

Derick and Jill Dillard have a wedding in Tennessee this weekend and are
looking forward to visiting the Bates. Too bad we had to leave just two
days before they were scheduled to arrive.